The Hard Way (1991): Cast, Box Office, Plot & Where to Watch
The Hard Way is a 1991 crime comedy directed by John Badham, starring Michael J. Fox as Nick Lang, James Woods and Stephen Lang. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $65.6 million worldwide. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- John Badham
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- The Badham-Cohen Group
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Hard Way About?
The premise of The Hard Way without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Hollywood action star Nick Lang, desperate to prove himself as a gritty cop for a new TV role, strikes a deal with NYPD Capt. Brix, an unexpected fan. Paired with veteran detective Lt. John Moss, Nick shadows real police work to learn the trade. His nonstop questions and mimicry drive Moss crazy and end up hindering Moss’s pursuit of a serial killer.
The Hard Way Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- serial killer
- movie star
- actor
- detective
- film within a film
- celebrity
- fish out of water
- research
- murder investigation
- psychopath
- shootout
- murder
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- psychopathic killer
- insanity
- tough cop
- manhattan new york city
- bar
- police station
- nightclub
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- new york city
- buddy cop
- title spoken by character
- telephone call
- hysterical man
- slow motion scene
- blood
- shot to death
- car chase
- following someone
- fight
- disguise
- watching tv
- ambition
- outburst
- tape recorder
- teenage boy
- investigation
- police investigation
- gang
- criminal
- criminal gang
- hot dog
- police car
- reporter
- narcissist
- answering machine
- girl
- mother daughter relationship
- punched in the face
Where to Watch The Hard Way
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
The Hard Way Cast & Characters
Michael J. Fox leads the cast as Nick Lang, with James Woods as John Moss and Stephen Lang as Party Crasher. Directed by John Badham; 63 actors are credited in all.
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Director John Badham
-
Michael J. Fox as Nick Lang -
James Woods as John Moss -
Stephen Lang as Party Crasher -
Annabella Sciorra as Susan
Also Starring in The Hard Way
· 59 more- Kathy Najimy Lang's Girl Friday
- Christina Ricci Bonnie
- Luis Guzmán Pooley
- Lewis Black Banker
- LL Cool J Billy
- Penny Marshall Angie
- Delroy Lindo Captain Brix
- Bill Cobbs Raggedy Man
- George Cheung Drug Dealer
- John Capodice Grainy
- Michael Badalucco Pizza Man
- Yasiin Bey Dead Romeos
- Mary Mara China
- Ed Setrakian Chief Villain
- Trish Cook Dancer (uncredited)
- Fabio Bystander (uncredited)
Show all 63 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Anibal O. Lleras Detective (uncredited)
- Karen Lynn Gorney Woman in Subway
- Conrad Roberts Witherspoon
- Anthony Thomas Dead Romeos
- Charles Scorsese Senior Citizen (uncredited)
- John Costelloe Fake Dead Guy / Cop
- Fracaswell Hyman Wino
- George Gerard Theatre Goer (uncredited)
- Bryant Gumbel Themselves
- Mario Bosco Boy in Theater
- Jan Speck T.V. Reporter
- Michael Jeffrey Woods Cop
- Frank Geraci Newsman
- Dwayne McClary Dead Romeos
- Janet Sarno Continental Representative
- Sharrieff Pugh Dead Romeos
- Howard 'Stick' Baines Dead Romeos
- Curtis McClarin Dead Romeos
- John Ring Homeboy Cop
- David Sosna Frog Dog Vendor
- Leif Riddell Head Mugger
- Johnny Sanchez Mugger
- Anderson Matthews Banker
- Shawn McLean Dead Romeos
- Keenan Leung Dead Romeos
- Reno Diner Waitress
- Holly Kuespert 'Smoking Gunn' Girl
- Mark Woodcock Clothing Salesman
- Adore O'Hara Dead Entertainer
- Jim Lavin Dying Film Detective (uncredited)
- Sophie Maletsky Pizza Waitress
- Rand Foerster Banker
- Joseph Tripi Mugger
- William Truesdale Witherspoon's Bodyguard
- Jordanna Freedman Moviegoer
- Merrill Witten Scared Subway Woman
- David Hummel Police Officer (uncredited)
- Isabella Martinez Wall Billy's Girlfriend (uncredited)
- Paul Mormando Ninja 1 (uncredited)
- Ronald Rand Paramedic (uncredited)
- Kariim Ratcliff Movie Goer (uncredited)
- Andrew D. Schwartz Press Photographer (uncredited)
- Frank Stellato Subway Yuppie (uncredited)
The Hard Way Plot Summary
What happens in The Hard Way from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
NYPD Lieutenant John Moss [James Woods] pursues a serial killer known as the ‘Party Crasher’ through a crowded nightclub, but he cannot prevent the murder of a local drug dealer. During a press interview, Moss vents his frustration on camera in a blistering live broadcast, a moment that will ripple through the lives of everyone involved.
In Los Angeles, the ambitious Hollywood actor Nick Lang [Michael J. Fox] sees the interview and is struck by Moss’s raw intensity. A former child star and pop-action icon, Lang longs for a genuine, serious role in a forthcoming cop drama, Blood on the Asphalt, and believes that studying Moss up close will help him project authenticity in his audition.
Full summary
The whole story of The Hard Way, scene by scene
The Hard Way Box Office
The Hard Way grossed $65.6 million worldwide. $25.9 million came from the US and Canada and $39.7 million (61%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$65.6M
- US & Canada
- $25.9M
- International
- $39.7M
The Hard Way Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Hard Way.
How Well Do You Know The Hard Way?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which NYPD lieutenant is the central police character in the film?
Cars in The Hard Way
68 cars on screen, including the 1973 Chevrolet C-30 and the Dodge Diplomat.
-
1973 Chevrolet C-30 Important role -
Dodge Diplomat Important role -
1981 Dodge Diplomat Important role -
1983 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Important role
The Hard Way Also Known As
22 alternative titles, including “Duro de Aguantar” and “Auf die harte Tour”.
- Also known as
-
- Duro de Aguantar
- Auf die harte Tour
- Insieme per forza
- La Manière forte
- Colegas a la fuerza
- Ett tufft jobb
- Напролом
- Poldovi v patách
- Jobb ma egy zsaru, mint holnap kettő
- Sócios à Força
- Παρέα με το ζόρι
- בלש מהסרטים
+10 more Show fewer
- Aprendiz de Feiticeiro
- Ortak
- Ciężka próba
- Трудният начин
- 코 끝에 걸린 사나이
- Den hårde måde
- 小生当差
- ハード・ウェイ
- Jouer dur
- Rankka keikka
Seen The Hard Way?
Movies Like The Hard Way
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Hard Way, The Hard Way and Hard Boiled.
The Hard Way FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office and post-credit scenes of The Hard Way, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Hard Way?
The Hard Way runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).
When was The Hard Way released?
The Hard Way was released on March 8, 1991.
Who directed The Hard Way?
The Hard Way was directed by John Badham.
More films by John Badham Who is in the cast of The Hard Way?
The Hard Way stars Michael J. Fox as Nick Lang, James Woods as John Moss and Stephen Lang as Party Crasher, among 63 credited actors.
Where can I watch The Hard Way?
In the US, The Hard Way is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did The Hard Way make at the box office?
The Hard Way grossed $65.6 million worldwide ($25.9 million domestic, $39.7 million international).
Does The Hard Way have a post-credit scene?
No. The Hard Way has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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